The companion to
Signs and
Voices: Deaf Culture, Identity, Language, and Arts, this volume presents an
accomplished group of contributors who address the major technological,
institutional, and societal advances in access for deaf people, as well as the
remaining hurdles. Part One: Assistive Technologies begins with Maggie Casteel’s
description of the latest innovative hearing assistive technology. Al
Sonnenstrahl discusses his career as a deaf engineer who segued into advocating
for equal access in telecommunications. Robert C. O’Reilly, Amanda J. Mangiardi,
and H. Timothy Bunnell outline the process of cochlear implantation in children.

Jami N. Fisher and Philip J. Mattiacci open Part Two: Education and Literacy by
examining civil rights issues in education. Michael Stinson considers the
conflict that inclusion creates in developing a deaf identity. Lisa Herbert
discusses her identity as a signing deaf person who also has a cochlear implant.
Grace Walker focuses on her experiences with a cochlear implant that eventually
led her to stop using it.

In the final section, Part Three: Civil Rights, Christy Hennessey describes her
work as an advocate and job placement counselor with deaf and hard of hearing
people. Tony Saccente discusses HIV/AIDs counseling to the deaf gay community.
Leila Monaghan follows by reviewing recent studies of deaf attitudes towards
HIV/AIDs. Greg Hlibok concludes with his commentary on leading the Deaf
President Now! movement and its subsequent effects on deaf civil rights.

Doreen DeLuca is an RID Certified Interpreter who works in the
Philadelphia, PA, and Washington, DC, areas.